Post play bingo

ABSTRACT

The invention is directed to methods and processes for conducting a secondary competitive bingo-related matrix type game wherein entry and play in such game is determined by results of play in a primary traditional bingo game. The invention is further directed to addressing inadequacies in the prior art in meeting bingo market demand for game novelty, the cultivation of player loyalty and to provide unique and improved methods of bingo game marketing, player incentives and prize distribution.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates to methods and processes for conducting a competitive secondary bingo-related game wherein play in such game is determined by results of play in a primary traditional bingo game.

2. Prior Art

Bingo in its traditional form is a game enjoyed by millions and familiar to millions more. The proliferation of charity, for-profit and tribal gaming, the advent of the computer age and the worldwide Internet explosion have spawned an intensely competitive bingo environment. Bingo game operators are continually seeking new ways to not only draw initial interest to their games but, more importantly, maintain that interest, build player loyalty and increase revenues.

Traditional bingo is played with bingo “cards” containing 25 squares arranged in a 5×5 grid, with the letters “B.” “I,” “N,” “G,” and “O” at the top of each column. The squares of each column are randomly assigned numbers ranging from 1 to 75, inclusive, which each column encompassing 15 numbers (i.e. B 1-15, I 16-30, etc.). Players purchase cards prior to the start of each game and compete to match preannounced patterns on their cards to numbers randomly selected and “called” by the game operator (i.e. “B 12,” “0 71,” etc.). The first player to match the preannounced pattern wins the game and a predetermined prize. Traditionally, once a player completes the pattern, calls “bingo,” is confirmed the winner and awarded his/her prize, the game ends. Traditional bingo is commonly played in “sessions” consisting of a series of bingo games played one after another at one location over the course of an evening or afternoon.

Over time, player demand for increased speed of play, game novelty and attractive prize awarding schemes has risen dramatically. One popular response has been the advent of “good neighbor” games in which the prize is shared between the winning player and those seated to his or her immediate right and/or left. Another is “instant,” or fast bingo, which games can be played in rapid succession on electronic devices. In addition, “add-on” games are commonly offered wherein players may purchase additional add-on bingo cards to use for play in a particular primary game. Players compete in the primary game using the additionally purchased add-on cards, which are configured in the same fashion as traditional bingo cards. If the winner achieves “bingo” on one of the add-on cards, he or she is then entitled to an additional prize. If the game winner achieves bingo without an add-on card, no additional prize is awarded for that add-on game. Today's bingo player, however, is not satisfied by a session of relatively slow-moving, common, traditional bingo games with a single player winning a single prize each game.

Bingo halls now compete with and incorporate electronic and computer-based devices in their operations. These devices allow players to monitor more cards per game (as many as 50 or more) and play more games through computer-generated random ball calls. In this context, bingo in its traditional form is still being played, but at a more rapid pace. Bingo players, however, continue to demand novelty.

Currently, 46 of 50 states permit the play of traditional bingo. Federally, traditional bingo is classified as Class II gaming by the National Indian Gaming Commission. This includes the basic characteristics of requiring more than one participant, having a preannounced prize and pattern for a winner to complete on bingo cards sold prior to commencement of the game, a random number call and an element of competition between players. Class III gaming encompasses what are commonly known as slot machines, where players play against the machine itself. Class III gaming is universally prohibited in traditional bingo hall-type operations and is of the type conducted in casinos.

In response to player demand for novelty in this age of computers and electronic gaming devices, a way to give traditional bingo players “more bang for the buck” has presented the bingo industry with a dilemma. Many “bingo-styled” games played on electronic machines violate the rules of traditional bingo by failure to meet the criteria of having more than one participant or involving an element of competition between players. As a result, games of this type cannot be operated in traditional bingo hall settings without violating current state law or federal regulations.

Thus, the challenge facing traditional bingo operators is maintaining the integrity of traditional bingo while, at the same time, satisfying player novelty demand and cultivating player loyalty. The Post Play Bingo concept is an invention designed specifically to meet this industry challenge.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

The objects and advantages of this invention are directed toward the shortcomings of the prior art in responding to current bingo market demands in numerous ways:

-   -   A. The conduct of the secondary game does not affect or alter         the primary underlying and universally accepted traditional         bingo game. As a result, game operators do not jeopardize the         legality of their operations by offering gaming which may         otherwise be prohibited.     -   B. By continuing play in the secondary game across a series of         primary traditional bingo games within a bingo session, several         advantages are realized:         -   1. Player excitement is increased with the prospect of             additional winnings and prize sharing, which may be             progressive through the session.         -   2. Player competition is heightened and continued across             games.         -   3. Player demand for novelty can be addressed by altering             criteria for entry or winning secondary games across             different primary games within a session.         -   4. Players are given incentive to play throughout the entire             session.     -   C. By continuing play in the secondary game across a series of         bingo sessions, several advantages are realized:         -   1. Player excitement in increased with the prospect of             additional winnings and prize sharing, which may be             progressive over a series of sessions.         -   2. Player competition is heightened between players not only             within individual sessions but over a series of sessions.         -   3. Player demand for novelty is addressed by altering             criteria for entry or winning in secondary games across             different sessions.         -   4. Players are given incentive to return to the location             offering Post Play Bingo in order to compete in ongoing             secondary games.         -   5. Player loyalty is increased to locations continuing             secondary game play across sessions.     -   D. The concept of prize sharing within the secondary game, an         offshoot of “good neighbor bingo,” is accepted and popular with         players.     -   E. Conduct of Post Play Bingo acts as a forced marketing tool as         players have a continuing stake in winning and prize sharing in         secondary games across games within individual sessions and         across a series of sessions, so long as they are present at the         same location and participate in ongoing primary and secondary         games.     -   F. Post Play Bingo allows operators flexibility to alter         criteria for secondary game entry, winning and prize         distribution, all of which adds to player excitement, increases         player competition and builds player loyalty to the location         offering Post Play Bingo.     -   G. Flexibility in secondary game entry, winning and prize         distribution criteria allows operators to comply with unique         local laws, regulations and player tastes.     -   H. Player cost for participation in the secondary game can be         set below the cost of primary games. This can provide further         player incentive to participate and adds to player excitement,         competition and loyalty to location.     -   I. Operators can increase overall player participation and         revenues by reducing secondary game player cost relative to         primary games.     -   J. The concept of Post Play Bingo is equally applicable to a         paper-based primary game operation as to one utilizing         electronic assistive devices.

SUMMARY

The Post Play Bingo concept is an invention by which entry into, play and prize distribution in a secondary bingo-related game is determined by the results of play in a primary traditional bingo game. The invention overcomes numerous deficiencies in the existing art of the bingo industry related to player demand for novelty in games, prize distribution, marketing, the cultivation of player loyalty and increasing bingo operation revenues.

DRAWINGS

The following drawings illustrate the exemplary features and various embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates four traditional bingo cards commonly used in the conduct of traditional bingo. As used herein, each card represents an individual bingo player, as indicated, for the purposes of illustration of the invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a matrix type grid arrangement of numbers ranging from 1 to 75, inclusive, randomly selected and arranged.

FIG. 3 depicts the outcome of a traditional primary bingo game wherein Player A has achieved a bingo upon the call of “G 54.”

FIG. 4 depicts Player A's entry position in the secondary game, corresponding to FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 depicts differing potential outcomes of subsequent traditional primary bingo games wherein Players B and C have achieved bingo upon the call of “O 71” and “B 4,” respectively.

FIG. 6 depicts Players A, B and C's entry position in the secondary game, corresponding to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5.

FIG. 7 depicts a potential outcome of a traditional primary bingo game wherein Player D has subsequently also achieved bingo upon the call of “G 54.”

FIG. 8 depicts possible patterns or configurations which may be employed by a game operator for winning or prize sharing in the secondary game.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION—PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The concept of the Post Play Bingo invention, its method of operation and advantages over the prior art can best be understood in conjunction with and reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates four commonly-recognized traditional bingo cards. Each card consists of a 5×5 square grid pattern with the letters “B,” “I,” “N.” “G,” and “O” appearing at the top of each column of squares. Under each vertical letter column, numbers ranging from 1 to 75, inclusive, are randomly assigned, with each column containing five of a possible 15 numbers corresponding to the letter at the top of that column. For column B, the numbers range from 1 to 15; for column I, from 16-30, and so on. Many times, the center square is designated as “Free,” meaning the player is automatically given credit for having covered or matched that square. Players compete to match a preannounced pattern on their cards as numbers are randomly selected and announced. For the purpose of this discussion, FIG. 1 represents the first primary traditional bingo game discussed in this application involving players A, B, C and D competing to complete a bingo pattern of five squares-in-a-row in any direction.

FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of a matrix type grid arrangement wherein the numbers 1 through 75, inclusive, are randomly arranged on a 5×15 grid, with all numbers 1 through 75 appearing. For the purposes of this discussion, FIG. 2 represents the secondary game discussed in this application.

FIG. 3 illustrates the outcome of the traditional bingo game described in FIG. 1 wherein Player A has achieved bingo upon the call of “G 54.” As seen, Player A's five-in-a-row bingo includes the numbers “B 4,” “I 19,” “N 37,” “G 54” and “O 69.”

FIG. 4 illustrates Player A's entry position in the secondary game at the designated position on the grid corresponding with the number 54. In this embodiment, the player's entry position is determined by the number upon which the winner of the primary game achieves bingo.

In FIG. 5, differing potential outcomes of succeeding traditional primary games are illustrated. In one outcome, Player B has achieved bingo upon the call of “O 71.” In another, Player C has achieved bingo with “B 4.” In both instances, Player B and Player C would gain entry in the secondary game at positions corresponding to the numbers 71 and 4, respectively. In the preferred embodiment, as the secondary game is continued over the course of a series of traditional primary bingo games within a bingo session, the winner of each succeeding primary game enters the secondary game at a position determined by preannounced criteria (i.e. the number upon which the player achieves bingo in the primary game).

FIG. 6 illustrates Players B and C's entry position in the secondary game corresponding to the winning numbers “O 71” for Player B and “B 4” for Player C. Also shown is Player A's position corresponding to Player A's entry position from “G 54” as indicated in FIGS. 3 and 4. For the purpose of this illustration, we assume Player A has won the first primary game and entered the secondary game as described. We further assume Player B and Player C have won the second and third primary games, respectively, and entered the secondary game also as described.

FIG. 7 illustrates a potential outcome of an additional succeeding primary game wherein Player D subsequently also achieved bingo upon the call of “G 54.” In this embodiment, Player D, similar to Players A, B and C before, gains entry in the secondary game at a position determined by the number upon which bingo was achieved. In this embodiment, Player D enters the secondary game on the position previously occupied by Player A, who achieved bingo in a prior primary game with the call “G 54,” as indicated on FIGS. 3 and 4. In this embodiment, if Player A is present in the bingo game location and a participant in the primary and secondary game just won by Player D on “G 54,” Player A could be entitled to share in the secondary game prize with Player D.

Operation—Preferred Embodiment

As described, traditional bingo is commonly played in sessions consisting of a series of games played one after another over the course of an afternoon or evening at a bingo operations location. Players purchase individual cards for each bingo game being offered in which they choose to participate.

The concept of Post Play Bingo utilizes this concept of the add-on game. In the preferred embodiment, the secondary game described herein is the add-on game. Players A, B, C or D, in order to gain entry into the secondary game, must achieve their bingos on a secondary add-on card. To become eligible to share in a subsequent prize, as illustrated in the description of FIG. 7, above, Players A, B, C and D would have to not only remain in the bingo location for subsequent primary games, but may have to participate in succeeding primary and secondary games as well. The same scenario is true for secondary games continued across succeeding bingo sessions. Players are thus encouraged to not only remain and participate in each game of an individual session, including the add-on secondary games, but to return to the same location over the course of multiple succeeding sessions in order to share in prizes.

Description—Additional Embodiments

The Post Play Bingo concept may be employed using a variety of alternatives to that described above. In other embodiments, differing grid arrangements could be used than that contained in FIG. 2, as determined by individual game operators based upon the length of play of the secondary game, the expected number of participants and cost and prize structure considerations. Prizes may also be made progressive over individual games or sessions.

In other embodiments, entry position or prize sharing eligibility in the secondary game could be based upon criteria other than the number upon which a player achieves bingo in a primary game. For example, the column (i.e. “B” or “I,” etc.) in which the number called which completes the winning player's bingo appears could determine entry position or prize sharing eligibility.

Operation—Additional Embodiment

FIG. 8 illustrates differing potential patterns or configurations which may be employed by game operators for the secondary game. In one embodiment, a player must complete a preannounced pattern on the secondary game matrix to win the secondary game. In another, all players having entered the secondary game on positions making up the secondary game-winning pattern would share in the secondary game prize upon completion of the pattern. In all embodiments, only players present at the game location when the secondary game pattern is completed and participating in primary or secondary game play in games from which the numbers employed in the secondary game originate would be eligible to share in the secondary game prize.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS AND SCOPE

Post Play Bingo is an invention which conceptualizes the most demanding issues facing the bingo industry and incorporates improvements in the prior art to provide a unique method of offering players novelty and game operators an attractive means of marketing and developing player loyalty. Players participate in a unique competitive secondary bingo-related game which arises from play in a traditional primary bingo game. The continuation of the secondary game over a series of primary games within a bingo session or over a series of bingo sessions gives players a chance to share in the winnings of other players. Requiring players to be physically present at the game location and involved in ongoing primary and secondary game play provides operators the means to encourage further player participation and increase revenues. The invention improves upon the prior art by offering new game play which maintains the integrity and “non-gambling” characteristics universally ascribed to traditional bingo.

The concept of Post Play Bingo is an invention which contains inherent flexibility. Criteria for entry, methods of play, prize distribution and eligibility for the secondary game can be tailored by individual game operators in response to local regulation and player tastes. This flexibility, moreover, can be maintained without affecting the nature of the underlying primary bingo game, which further broadens its appeal and utility. 

1. A gaming system comprised of a primary game and a secondary competitive game in which entry into said secondary game is determined by methods and results of play in the primary game.
 2. The gaming system of claim 1 wherein the primary game consists of a traditional bingo game played with predetermined bingo cards having number designations randomly assigned in a grid layout on a bingo card. Players compete to first achieve “bingo” by matching such numbers to a predesignated pattern to numbers randomly announced by a game operator.
 3. The gaming system of claim 1 wherein the primary game is played as part of a session consisting of a series of traditional bingo games where players purchase one or more bingo cards to participate in such games.
 4. The gaming system of claim 3 wherein players further purchase one or more bingo cards to participate in the secondary game. Bingo cards for the secondary game are formatted in similar fashion to those used in the primary game.
 5. The gaming system of claim 4 wherein players must purchase at least one bingo card for the secondary game prior to commencement of the primary game in order to participate in said secondary game.
 6. The gaming system of claim 5 wherein bingo numbers for the primary game are announced and marked on the bingo cards purchased for both the primary and the secondary game.
 7. The gaming system of claim 6 wherein a player must be the first to achieve the predetermined bingo pattern designated for that primary game to be the winner of that game.
 8. The gaming system of claim 7 wherein a player who first achieves such predetermined pattern, but on a secondary bingo card, will be the winner of the primary game and gain entry into the secondary game.
 9. The gaming system of claim 8 wherein both the primary and secondary games include preannounced prize amounts, which may be determined in accordance with applicable laws or regulations by the game operator.
 10. The gaming system of claim 9 wherein, in one embodiment, the number which the winning player bingos determines said winning player's position or entry point into the secondary game.
 11. The gaming system of claim 10 wherein in different embodiments, player position in the secondary game can be determined not by the last number called but by other methods such as the column (ie “B,” “I,” “N,” “G,” or “O”) in which the last number called appears.
 12. The gaming system of claim 10 wherein play in the secondary game can be carried forward or continued throughout an individual bingo session or across sessions.
 13. The gaming system of claim 10 wherein, in an additional embodiment, the number on which the winning player bingos is utilized to constitute a called number for a secondary game, also conducted in the manner of traditional bingo.
 14. The gaming system of claim 10 wherein winners of previous secondary games can become eligible to participate in the sharing of prizes awarded in subsequent secondary games.
 15. The gaming system of claim 14 wherein, in one embodiment, such subsequent prize sharing can be conditioned upon a previous secondary game winner's continued participation in subsequent secondary games.
 16. The gaming system of claim 15 whereby, in another embodiment, such subsequent prize sharing can be conditioned upon a previous secondary game winner's physical presence in the game location.
 17. The gaming system of claim 15 wherein the method of prize distribution in the secondary game does not impact or alter the winner or prize distribution in the primary game.
 18. The gaming system of claim 14 wherein player excitement and competition is enhanced by the possibility of sharing in subsequent secondary game prizes.
 19. The gaming system of claim 14 which acts as a marketing method to increase player participation during individual sessions through player purchase of secondary game bingo cards.
 20. The gaming system of claim 16 which further acts as a marketing method to increase player patronage and loyalty to the location offering the secondary game.
 21. The gaming system of claim 14 which may be effected manually through use of traditional paper bingo cards.
 22. The gaming system of claim 17 which may be effected electronically, with subsequent prize sharing being conditioned upon a previous secondary game winner's continued participation in ongoing primary or secondary games.
 23. The gaming system of claim 14 wherein following purchase of one or more bingo cards for a said secondary game, no additional consideration by a player must be given by said player in order to participate in said secondary game.
 24. A gaming apparatus comprising a processor configured to implement a primary game and subsequently effect play of a secondary game upon the occurrence of at least one prespecified event during play of said primary game and at least one display in communication with said processor.
 25. The gaming apparatus of claim 24 further comprising an element to facilitate communication with said processor and one or more remote processors to effect implementation of said secondary game.
 26. The gaming apparatus of claim 24 wherein the primary and secondary game is played against at least one other participant.
 27. A gaming system, in one embodiment, comprising a gaming terminal at which a primary game is implemented and, upon the occurrence of at least one prespecified event during play of said primary game a secondary game is initiated and at least partially effected for play by a player using said first gaming terminal and at least one additional gaming terminal in communication with said first gaming terminal, said secondary game also being at least partially effected at said at least one additional terminal for participation and competitive play by another player.
 28. The gaming system of claim 27 further comprising, in one embodiment, a remote secondary game computer in communication with said first gaming terminal and said at least one additional terminal to implement said secondary game. 